The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is warning of a possible major resurgence of the H5N1 pathogenic avian influenza and calling for health professionals to be ready and on the look out. The fear of a resurgence comes amid signs that a mutant strain of the bird flu virus is spreading in Asia and beyond, including eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Since first appearing in 2003, the H5N1 virus has infected 565 people, killing 331, according to figures from the World Health Organization. The most recent death occurred earlier this month in Cambodia, which has registered eight cases of human infection this year—all of them fatal.

Source: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization